HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

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Wednesday, 21 February 2018

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned in strong terms the menace of insecurity challenges occasioned by the incessant killings in the country and reiterates its earlier call on President Muhammadu Buhari to reorganise the security agencies.

The Christian umbrella body at its last NEC Meeting held in Abuja commiserated with the victims and the bereaved of all the killings going on in the country especially in Benue, Taraba, Adamawa and Zamfara States by the terrorists, the herdsmen and the bandits.

Among the resolutions made at the NEC meeting include the following;

- That CAN identifies with the victims of the on-going killings by the herdsmen terrorists in the Northcentral, the Boko haram terrorists in some states in the Northeast and the bandits in Zamfara State.

- That CAN frowns at the failure of the security agencies to prevent those criminals before they strike as expected of them;

- That CAN reiterates its opposition to the composition of the National Security Council which skewed in favour of one religion and a part of the country. Ours is a multi-ethnic and multi- religious state and we call on President Muhammadu Buhari to respect the Federal Character Commission Act in all his appointments and policies;

- That we call on President Buhari to reorganise the entire security agencies with a view to injecting new officers with new visions and ideas that can restore sanity to all the trouble spots in the country.

- That every Christian that is of voting age should register for the forth coming general election;

- That the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) should stop the underage registration that characterises the ongoing registration of voters in some parts of the country;

- That CAN frowns at the deliberate attempts being made to discourage people from participating in the registration exercise by the INEC officials in some states of the Federation;

- That CAN appeals to its members not to be intimidated or discouraged by the frustration associated with the registration exercise but to ensure that they all secure their Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

- We urge our members to participate in the political process in the country as the need arises with a view to having the right people at the right places of governance.

- That NEC calls on all the blocs to put aside their differences and support the leadership of Rev. Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle to move the Church forward.

Also in attendance were the six zonal chairmen, the states’ chairmen and their secretaries, the President, Women Wing (WOWICAN), Pastor Dr Mabel Oyin Sowolu, the Chaplin, National Christian Centre, Bishop Dr Peter Ogunmuyiwa and the representatives of the five blocs that make up the Association.

- We solicit your assistance in disseminating this information to the public through your popular medium.

The money was said to belong to the Northern Senators' Forum handed down by Northern senators in the 7th Senate to those in the 8th Senate and left in the custody of Abdullahai Adamu when he emerged as Chairman.

The lawmaker told journalists that when asked to account for the money, the former Governor of Nasarawa State said "monkeys raided his farm house and made away with the it.

Adamu has been critical of some senate actions especially the reordering of election sequence.

Adamu and 7 other lawmakers had last week addressed a press conference attacking Senate position on the order of election arguing that the move was targeted at President Mohammadu Buhari.

Adamu's sack comes barely few hours after his colleague Ovie Omo Agege apologized to the Senate over similar statement that the decision to re- order elections was targeted at President Mohammadu Buhari.

There are many better sides than Real Betis in La Liga, but certainly none more entertaining.

Sunday’s 5-3 defeat to Real Madrid at the Benito Villamarín was the latest in a series of high-scoring matches involving the Sevillian club this season, including (but by no means limited to) a 6-3 defeat to Valencia, a 4-4 draw with Real Sociedad and a 5-3 win over arch-rivals Sevilla.

Betis’ reputation has always been grounded far more in entertainment than success. Despite having a huge following and boasting the fourth-largest stadium in Spain, they have only one league title to their name and have spent more than their fair share of time in the Segunda División – but there have very rarely been dull moments.

It was appropriate, then, that the Betis board saw fit to appoint the arch-attacker Quique Setién as manager at the start of this season. In his two-year spell in charge of Las Palmas prior to taking over at the Villamarín, he turned the Canarian outfit into one of the most watchable sides in Spain.

Under Setién, Betis are attack-minded almost to the point of negligence. The side is built around the capricious talent of the 36-year-old Joaquín, a man made in Betis’ own image who is one of the game’s true entertainers and most likeable characters. Accompanied by the likes of Sergio León, Antonio Sanabria and Loren Morón, Betis have an adventurous, sometimes devastating attacking armoury.

But that swashbuckling style has its inherent risks. Such focus on attack can leave them vulnerable, and often hopelessly exposed at the back. Taking Sunday’s match as a case in point, Betis tore through Real Madrid in the first half, before the visitors ruthlessly highlighted their defensive weakness with three goals in quick succession to turn the tide in their favour and take the game away from their Andalusian hosts.

This has been a theme of Betis’ season so far. They have scored 41 goals, the joint-fifth highest tally in Liga, but have conceded 50, more than all but two clubs. Scoring plenty is no guarantee of success, and the fact that they have only won half of the games in which they have scored three or more goals this season speaks volumes. Entertaining they may be, they are also wildly inconsistent.

Joaquín summed this up succinctly after the defeat to Real Madrid, saying “it’s true that to have to score three, four or five goals in every match is very difficult.”

Although the philosophy of the club and the manager is very much of the “live by the sword, die by the sword” school of thought, it has to be said that with a little more consistency and defensive solidity, Betis could be much higher up the table than the tenth place that they currently occupy.

Some lip service was paid towards the defence in January with the signing of Marc Bartra from Borussia Dortmund, but the ink was barely dry on his contract before fellow defender Zou Feddal suffered a season-ending injury.

As much as the fans would surely like their side to be challenging at the top end of the table, it is not the be-all and end-all. Even when they have lost heavily this season, the Béticos have kept singing for their team; they are happy so long as the players match the passion shown on the terraces. The club’s whole philosophy is based on the phrase “viva el Betis manque pierda” – long live Betis, even if they lose.

Such supportive, loyal and partisan fans deserve to be rewarded with trophies, but silverware is of secondary importance to them. Their pride comes from supporting their club no matter what, unlike the spoilt fans of some of Spain’s larger, more successful clubs.

It is this affinity between fans and club that makes Betis a difficult side upon which to impose normal values. If they were to appoint a defensive manager and gain success through stodgy, cautious football, the fans would not be pleased. They would rather fail than compromise their principles.

In truth, that is the very identity of Real Betis in a nutshell: unpredictable, sometimes brilliant, often terrible, never boring. Even in defeat to Real Madrid, Joaquín’s overriding sentiment was pride that they had “played a worthy match, in keeping with our philosophy”. It is refreshing in modern football to find a club that believes in the primacy of football as entertainment, rather than merely a results business. With the fans, the club, Setién and Joaquín all sharing this outlook, there is no reason that anyone should want this crazy ride to end.

Martin Keown thinks Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen committed the “cardinal sin” against Barcelona by playing the ball across his own goal.

The Blues face an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals after Willian’s strike was cancelled out by Lionel Messi on 75 minutes as the match ended 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Christensen’s misplaced pass along the edge of his own penalty area was picked up by Andres Iniesta, who pulled the ball back for Messi to score.

And Keown, who played in defence for Arsenal, thinks the centre-back showed his lack of experience against the La Liga outfit.

“One goal undid all their hard work and turned an excellent night into a bitterly disappointing one,” Keown told the Daily Mail.

“Inexperience cost Andreas [Christensen].

“He played a blind pass across goal and it was duly punished — though Cesar Azpilicueta could have rescued his team-mate had he stayed on his feet, instead of diving in.

“Playing across your own goal is widely considered the cardinal sin for a defender but, to be fair to Christensen, the modern centre back is encouraged to play out from the back and had his pass found a team-mate we would have thought nothing of it.

“The issue was that he was careless, too casual in a game where full concentration for 90 minutes was required.

“Aside from this passage of play, Chelsea very nearly did play the perfect game.”

Pogba’s form has come under the spotlight since he was substituted off the pitch as United lost 1-0 to Newcastle in the Premier League.

And Lampard feels that Pogba has to be willing to learn the defensive side of the game if he wants to cement his place as a world-class midfielder.

“Whether you are picked to play in a two-man midfield or three, you have to have defensive discipline, particularly in big games in the Champions League or away to a team like Tottenham at Wembley,” Lampard told the Evening Standard.

“I used to play in a three-man midfield mostly, but I was also in a two for the last few years of my time at Chelsea and throughout my England career.

“You know when you go into a bigger game that you have to have extra discipline because of what your opponent can do to you.

“So no-one can switch off or have moments out of position. It will damage the team. Pogba has to recognise that because he has moments of amazing ability on the ball.

“He just has to learn that defensive side of the game. It is something that has to be addressed.”

The bar had been set. Liverpool and Manchester City secured impressive, swashbuckling away victories, Tottenham proved their superiority over Juventus, and Manchester United are the favourites in their tie against Sevilla. As unfathomable as it seemed, the Premier League champions were England’s odd ones out in the Champions League.

Barcelona are not the beast they once were, but they remain an excellent side. They hold a seven-point lead at the top of La Liga, had lost just one of their last 38 games, and arrived at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday the clear favourites. Plenty expected Chelsea to put up a valiant fight, but little else.

As it was, the only thing to fall short was the collective expectation of the visitors. Save for a spell of sustained dominance in the final 15 minutes, Barca were more ordinary than extraordinary.

For that, Chelsea deserve plenty of credit. They nullified Ernesto Valverde’s side for large swathes, forcing them into unfamiliar wide positions and counter-attacking with purpose when the opportunity presented itself. Barca’s first shot on target came from Luis Suarez in the 53rd minute; their second, and only other, was Lionel Messi’s equaliser. The hosts, on the other hand, provided a constant threat in the form of an inspired Willian.

Perhaps Antonio Conte overestimated his opponent. The Italian suggested that Chelsea needed to play “the perfect game” to secure a favourable first-leg result, but all the hosts required was organisation, a clear game plan and a collective concentration.

It was only when that last characteristic failed them that Barca were able to capitalise. Andreas Christensen, who had previously repelled everything thrown at him, lackadaisically played the ball across his own penalty area from the right-hand side, Marcos Alonso shepherded it along, Cesar Azpilicueta sold himself with aplomb, Andres Iniesta nipped in and Messi ticked another club off his extensive bucket list. Having confiscated all of Barca’s firearms, Chelsea proceeded to shoot themselves squarely in the foot.

Before then, this was the Blues at their best with Conte the ringmaster. The speculation that he would deploy Eden Hazard as a false nine was met with derision from both diehards and neutrals, and the sight of both Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud on the bench was enough to give any ageing pundit palpitations. The reality was that the Belgian, Willian and Pedro interchanged to almost devastating effect, and Barca struggled to keep up at times.

Conte’s other risk was to play Cesc Fabregas in a two-man midfield alongside N’Golo Kante, and yet the Spaniard was one of the game’s better players. His was a controlled, mature performance, balancing the near-constant search for an incisive pass with the sort of defensive responsibility he so often shirks.

For 75 minutes, it was a fine display, a script that Conte would have made only a few minor alterations to. Willian struck both posts in the first half before scoring in the second, and though this was framed as a battle between Messi and Hazard, the Brazilian demanded centre stage. He had four shots, created four chances and completed six dribbles – all were match-leading statistics.

That Sergio Busquets was Barca’s best player spoke volumes. Messi and Iniesta were constantly starved of meaningful possession before combining to feed the 2,000 travelling fans with the only scraps Chelsea’s defence offered. Suarez was conspicuous by his absence, and Paulinho brought a tear to the eye of any reminiscing Tottenham viewers with a nondescript display. There was no real creativity, a side devoid of ideas.

“I think we start this game as underdogs,” Conte said earlier this week, and that was a view no-one would have disagreed with at the time. But on this showing, Chelsea needn’t have embraced that role so happily. This was a beatable Barca, one the Italian confidently stated had “weaknesses without the ball” that his players should have looked to “exploit”. They did so on numerous occasions until the telling blow came from Willian. But instead of pressing home that advantage, they backed off, inviting more and more pressure until it eventually told.

This was a game to encapsulate Conte and Chelsea at their most frustrating. A draw at kick-off would have been seen as a fine result. It still is, and at least the trip to the Nou Camp should be far less daunting. But this feels like a wasted opportunity.

We have previously heard that Liverpool would quite like to sign Christian Pulisic – and who wouldn’t – but Wednesday’s Daily Mail brings Chelsea to the party.

Simon Jones writes that Chelsea have made Pulisic a summer transfer target, with the club expecting bids for Eden Hazard and Willian.

Jones also mentions that Bayern Munich are definitely keen, and that Manchester United retain an interest while Liverpool have had a rejected bid. Talk about keeping your options open.

Apparently, Michy Batshuayi could still be useful to Chelsea, as he could be used as bait in the deal to sign Pulisic.

MAN UNITED WANT JORGINHO

To The Sun now, going there so you don’t have to. They report that the agent of Napoli midfielder Jorginho has opened the door on a move to Manchester United. In fact, he’s done nothing of the sort, but Joao Santos did say that Napoli might sell him.

“I think we’ll discuss a renewal at the end of the season, as it’s not the moment to talk about that, because he still has a long contract.

“He wants to stay, although we’ll have to see if Napoli agree with that. If a player like Torreira arrives from Sampdoria, then that will require an important investment and Jorginho could be sacrificed to make way.

“I think they’d rather sell Jorginho than Amadou Diawara, who is younger.”

So ‘my client wants to stay’ and ‘the club might want to sell him’. It hardly screams ‘Jorginho is joining Manchester United’.

LIVERPOOL AFTER LYON TEENAGER

To France now, to call ourselves Jacques Richarde and sit in a French square drinking a cafe au lait, eating a croissant and thumbing through L’Equipe.

France Football report that Liverpool are interested in signing Lyon teenager Mohamed Bahlouli. The 17-year-old midfielder (he was born in the year 2000, for goodness sake) has been catching the eye in Lyon’s youth teams, and has apparently been scouted heavily by Liverpool.

It’s a short article, but the Google Translate version produces the phrase ‘come to tease the pond Rhone’, which is probably the best euphemism we’ve ever heard.

AND THE REST

Leo Ulloa wants a permanent return to Brighton… Swansea’s survival bid has been boosted by the news Alfie Mawson’s injury is not as bad as first feared… David Moyes has given further clues that he will be staying on as West Ham manager… QPR are checking on Chelsea youngster Isaac Christie-Davies.

HURIWA'S WORKING VISIT TO ICPC ON THE 27TH MARCH 2013

HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA; HURIWA, ON DECEMBER 12TH 2012 VISITED THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY[NEMA] ALHAJI MOHAMMAD SANI-SIDI ON THE CELEBRATION OF WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY TO CONFER ON HIM THE HUMAN RIGHTS PERSON OF THE YEAR 2012 BY THE ORGANIZATION. THE DG PROMISED TO TAKE DISASTER MANAGEMENT LESSONS TO ALL PARTS OF NIGERIA. HURIWA WAS LED BY ITS NATIONAL COORDINATOR COMRADE EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO.